Name: Paleo & Vegan Apple Crisp
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds apples (, cored and sliced); 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice; 1/4 cup pure maple syrup; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/4 teaspoon sea salt; 1 1/2 cups blanched almond flour; 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil; 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup; 1/4 teaspoon almond extract; 1/8 teaspoon sea salt; 1 1/2 cups pecan pieces; 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut; 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup; 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

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This Apple Crisp is an easy and delicious dessert, featuring fresh apples and a melt-in-your-mouth crumble topping. It’s naturally gluten-free and tastes amazing!

I’ve made this delicious apple crisp two different ways, and I can’t decide which way I like it best. So, I’m sharing both versions! Actually, I’m sharing TWO ways to cook it and TWO ways to top it, so you could probably make this four different ways.

The beauty of my indecisiveness is that this recipe can easily accommodate the ingredients you currently have in your pantry. Need to use up your almond flour? Use the topping that calls for it. Don’t have almond flour? No worries, you can make the crumble using buttery pecans instead. (Or probably any other nut you like, too.) You’ll also notice that I don’t peel my apples. Apple skins are where much of this fruit’s nutrition lies, and when they’re cooked the skin becomes ultra-tender just like the rest of the apples, so I don’t see the point in taking the time to peel them. However, the choice is up to you.

Either way, I’ve discovered that it’s really difficult to mess up a crumble. Maybe that’s why I like them so much! The fruit filling in this particular recipe is to die for, so you could probably sprinkle almost anything on top, add a scoop of ice cream, and you’ll impress the pants off your guests. As an added bonus, your house will smell amazing!

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Paleo & Vegan Apple Crisp
Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

Filling:
2 pounds apples, cored and sliced
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Almond Flour Topping:
1 1/2 cups blanched almond flour
2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Buttery Pecan Topping:
1 1/2 cups pecan pieces
1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Note: Please make only ONE of the topping options above to go over the apple filling. I’m just giving you two options to accommodate your ingredients!

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350F. Slice the apples into thin slices (about 1/8-inch thick) and place them in a 3 1/2-quart dutch oven. Add in the orange juice, maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger, and salt and stir to coat the apples well. Place the pot on the stove over medium-high heat to bring the liquid to a boil. (You’ll need to listen for the boiling, as the liquid won’t cover the apples.) Once the liquid is bubbling, cover the pot and lower the heat so the apples can simmer for about 8-10 minutes, until they are fork-tender.

While the apples are cooking, prepare the topping. To prepare the almond flour topping, combine all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and use a whisk to combine them evenly into a crumbly texture. When the apples are tender, sprinkle the topping over the top and place the pot in the oven to bake for 20 minutes at 350F. The topping won’t completely brown, but it should feel dry to the touch.

Note: The reason I don’t let the topping brown is because almonds are prone to acrylamide formation when cooked at high heat. Browning is a sign of acrylamide formation, which is a carcinogen. So, it’s best to not cook it at high temperatures for long to avoid this natural occurrence.

To prepare the Buttery Pecan Topping, place the pecans and coconut in a small food processor and process until crumbly. Add in the coconut oil, maple syrup, salt and almond extract and process again to combine. Sprinkle the topping over the apples and bake as directed above, or try the alternate baking method below.

*Alternate baking method: If you want to skip the stove, you can simply toss the apples in the maple syrup mixture and arrange them directly in a 9-inch square baking dish. Press the crumbly topping firmly over the top and bake for 40-45 minutes until the apples are tender. This method doesn’t produce apples that are quite as caramelized, but it’s still good and requires less hands-on preparation if you’re pressed for time.

After removing the crisp from the oven, allow it to cool for 10 minutes then serve warm with a scoop of ice cream or coconut whipped cream on top.

paleo apple crisp in a bowl with ice cream and cinnamon sticks

Paleo & Vegan Apple Crisp

5 from 4 votes

An easy gluten-free and naturally-sweetened recipe featuring fresh apples. This is as fast as it gets!

prep20 mins cook20 mins total40 mins

Servings:6

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Ingredients

Filling:

2 pounds apples , cored and sliced
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Almond Flour Topping:

1 1/2 cups blanched almond flour
2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Buttery Pecan Topping:

1 1/2 cups pecan pieces
1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Note: Please make only ONE of the topping options above to go over the apple filling. I'm just giving you two options to accommodate your ingredients!

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350F. Slice the apples into thin slices (about 1/8-inch thick) and place them in a 3 1/2-quart dutch oven. Add in the orange juice, maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger, and salt and stir to coat the apples well. Place the pot on the stove over medium-high heat to bring the liquid to a boil. (You'll need to listen for the boiling, as the liquid won't cover the apples.) Once the liquid is bubbling, cover the pot and lower the heat so the apples can simmer for about 8-10 minutes, until they are fork-tender.
While the apples are cooking, prepare the topping. To prepare the almond flour topping, combine all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and use a whisk to combine them evenly into a crumbly texture. When the apples are tender, sprinkle the topping over the top and place the pot in the oven to bake for 20 minutes at 350F. The topping won't completely brown, but it should feel dry to the touch.
To prepare the Buttery Pecan Topping, place the pecans and coconut in a small food processor and process until crumbly. Add in the coconut oil, maple syrup, salt and almond extract and process again to combine. Sprinkle the topping over the apples and bake as directed above, or try the alternate baking method in the notes below.
After removing the crisp from the oven, allow it to cool for 10 minutes then serve warm with a scoop of ice cream or coconut whipped cream on top.

Notes

Nutrition information is for 1 of 6 servings, assuming you make the almond flour topping. This information is automatically calculated, and is just an estimate, not a guarantee.

Alternate baking method: If you want to skip the stove, you can simply toss the apples in the maple syrup mixture and arrange them directly in a 9-inch square baking dish. Press the crumbly topping firmly over the top and bake for 40-45 minutes until the apples are tender. This method doesn't produce apples that are quite as caramelized, but it's still good and requires less hands-on preparation if you're pressed for time.

Nutrition

Author: Megan Gilmore

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: almond flour apple crisp, paleo apple crisp

I have a feeling this recipe would work well with any fruit you have on hand– I might try it with some fresh pears and cranberries for the holidays. You can also feel free to experiment with other nuts, or even seeds for a nut-free version. Sunflower seeds are more bitter than pecans, so be sure to taste as you go to adjust the flavor as needed.

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Reader Feedback: What’s your favorite seasonal dessert? Right now, it’s this crisp. But the Peppermint Fudge Bars in my cookbook are a very close second– I will make them every week of December!